Monument record MDO3679 - Burials at 'Volendam', Church Lane, Charlton Marshall

A skull was discovered in the garden of ‘Volendam’ in about 1980. In 1988 a skeleton was excavated, and in 1996, a further fragmentary skeleton was found; this may be connected with the first skull discovered.

Probable prehistoric inhumation located during building works and subsequently excavated. <1>

In 1988 a human skull was found in the garden of Volendam, Church Lane, Charlton Marshall. Subsequent excavations located a grave containing an extended inhumation orientated west-east, with two flint nodules situated on either side of the head supporting the skull. No dating evidence was recorded, prehistoric pottery and antler was recovered from the grave fill. The burial is possibly Saxon in date due to the use of stone supporting the head. This technique has been recorded in some late Saxon burials. <2>

<1> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1997, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1996, 145 (Serial). SDO11592.

‘A human burial, probably prehistoric, was excavated at this property in 1988, and the owner, Mr Squires, had found a skull and several other bones some years before (DSMR Charlton Marshall no. 24). In May 1996, a foundation trench for an extension was dug. A long bone within a shallow archaeological feature was visible in section, and another bone was found in the excavated spoil. These bones are thought to belong to the burial found by Mr Squires.’

<2> Cherryson, A K, 2006, Gazetteer of Early Medieval Sites, 22 (Unpublished document). SDO17464.

<3> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1989, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society for 1988, 145 (Serial). SDO88.

<4> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1093358 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Mar 11 2022 2:00PM